Erstellt am: 13. 5. 2013 - 14:58 Uhr

Pakistan and politico-military power

Reality Check: Pakistan elections, Bulgaria elections, David Cameron and the EU, coronavirus, Africa's boom states

Ever since modern Pakistan was founded in 1947, there has been a curious and volatile relationship beween politics and the military, and an even more curious and very precarious see-sawing between civilian government and military dictatorships.

Although technically a "democratic parliamentary federal republic", it has spent around half of its years as an independent state under miliary rule. Three successful military coups, and numerous unsuccessful ones, have led to the situation that the country has never had a transition from one elected civilian government to another, until now.

EPA/SHAHZAIB AKBER

Nawaz Sharif appears to have won a substantial majority and will become Prime Minister for the third time.

As widely predicted, Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League appears to have won Saturday's general election with a clear majority, and Sharif is now posed to become Prime Minister, for the third time. His last term in office ended in a coup by military general Pervez Musharraf in 1999. However, before we start cheering a victory of democracy over military dictatorship, it's worth bearing in mind that the overthrow of Sharif in 1999 was welcomed by many people, because he was seen as corrupt. After a spell in jail, he was the sent into exile, and ironically, the man who exiled him, Pervez Musharraf, is now in exile himself.

It's a complicated political landscape, with few clear "goodies" or "baddies", and a long track record of instability. Shashank Joshi gives his analysis of the election result and what it means for the power of the military.

Bulgaria election uncertainty

Protests and controversy follow Bulgaria's elections as the centre right and socialist parties wait for the final result. Nick Thorpe reports from Sofia on the results so far and the likely new government.

David Cameron and the EU

Ivor Gaber reports from London on the deep split in Britain's ruling Conservative Party over the UK's future in the EU.

Fears over new coronavirus

The World Health Organisation is warning that the new coronavirus, which is related to the deadly SARS virus, may be passing from person to person. New Scientist's Deborah McKenzie looks at the facts and the risks.

African development

The ups and downs of economic booms in Africa. Oxfam's Enrich Sahan looks at why parts of Africa are booming while the West goes bust, but why the booms are not always a good thing.

FM4 Reality Check

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